Man Utd told Karim Benzema could take on Cristiano Ronaldo role at Old Trafford as Rio Ferdinand insists Rasmus Hojlund needs a mentor

The French striker has been linked with a move to United after reports emerged that Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad have banished the player for not turning to training after a prolonged winter break. The club even omitted him from their travelling squad to Dubai.

Former Red Devils star Rio Ferdinand believes that the club would benefit from signing a player of Benzema's stature as his experience would help a young striker like Rasmus Hojlund who has managed to score only two Premier League goals since joining the club in the summer.

Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents FIVE YouTube channel, the former defender said, "That’s just going back to old, what we’ve been doing before. We’ve done it with Cristiano, we’ve done it with Falcao, we’ve done it with Cavani, we’ve done it with Zlatan… Listen, Benzema… how can you say no? How can you say no to that signing?"

On asked if the club would be able to afford the player's high wages, Ferdinand added, "Probably not, that’s what I mean. That’s why I don’t see it. I’d be very surprised. One thing I would say, one person who needs that more than anyone else around right now Rasmus Hojlund.

"Hojlund needs that somebody to look and learn from. I remember when we had Danny Welbeck coming into the first-team and he’s looking up to Cristiano, [Wayne] Rooney, [Carlos] Tevez and those guys. Diego Forlan comes in, a young Uruguayan striker and you’ve got Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ruud van Nistelrooy he’s backing up. Chicharito, the same thing, they’re looking on and going: That’s what a real striker is! That is how a true No.9 operates and I’m going to follow that”. ‘Hojlund is looking at himself in the mirror! That’s it."

The Premier League giants are unlikely to make a move for the Frenchman in the January transfer window because of the player's age and his exorbitant wage demands. The club will be next seen in action on January 28 in the FA Cup fourth round when they take on the winner of Newport County and Eastleigh.